The Italian cross-country season is getting into full swing. Tomorrow will be the fifth race of the year for some of the riders. In fact, the race will be held in Porto Sant'Elpidio the second stage of the Giro d'Italia Cyclocross. And in the pink jersey, among the elite, there is Joel Bertolini.
The Valtellina native, as well as the reigning Italian champion, has returned "home", to Selle Italia Guerciotti and looks more lively than ever.
The return home
«With Guerciotti – he says – the relationship had remained very good even in the previous season when I went to Trinx. That was a particular choice as it was very focused on MTB and the Olympics, then it went as it went… I had already spoken with Alessandro (Guerciotti, ed.) last winter and the possibility of returning had emerged. So I jumped at the chance. But with Luca Bramati There are no problems. Just think, he's the one coaching me now. It's just that Luca has also changed his plans a bit with Trinx and has embraced the Valcar women's cross-country plan."
Ultimately, even in a specialty as “individual” as cyclocross, feeling at home and having the trust of those around you can make the difference. And when Bully is in top form, he can compete, even abroad. He's a driver like few others, and he has no shortage of horses.
Already high level
He's also a very tactically minded guy. Last Sunday he won in Osoppo. The course was very fast, and making the selection process wasn't easy.
"At that point, when I saw we couldn't get away," Gioele recounts, "and that there were always two or three of us, I decided to ease off a bit. So we rode with a group of seven until halfway through the race. There were three of us from Selle Italia-Guerciotti, and we had to win the race. I'd say we rode well. There were slow corners in the finale, so I moved up a bit. I took off at 300 meters and closed the gap a bit."
«The thing I've noticed at the start of this season is that everyone is already very much on the ball, They started off strong and that's why I imagine it will be a challenging year."
Europeans in the lead
A challenging but also stimulating season. When Gioele feels he has to fight, he shows his claws. Last year, for example, the Italian championship course in Lecce was more favorable to a powerful rider like Dorigoni, but the Bully exploited his driving skills in the more technical part, and He held it for an hour at 7-8 seconds of distanceBut how will he handle this season? Will it be a crescendo leading up to the World Cup, or will there be some peaks?
«The first target is the Europeans (at Col du Vam, in the Netherlands on November 6-7, ed.) – says Bertolini – I want to get there in really good shape. At that point, Bramati and I will draw a line under the bridge and see what to do: whether to find another peak or keep going. We will certainly need to be in good shape for the Italians and from there, maybe get to the World Championships.
